English
The Netherlands Film Fund
The Netherlands Film Fund is the national agency responsible for supporting film production in the Netherlands. It focuses on the quality and diversity of feature films, documentaries, shorts, animation and experimental films. The Fund's operations cover participation in development, production and distribution. Besides, it supports film activities such as film festivals, coproduction markets and individual training for film professionals. It is also responsible for promoting a good climate for the national film industry.
The Film Fund was founded in 1993 by merging two other funds. Its budget is provided by the Government. It operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and receives most of its funds on the basis of four-year policy plans.
The total amount available for funding in 2011 is 35 million euro.
Target groups
Film production companies or film distributors which are based in an EU country minimally two years previous to the request can qualify for financial support. Individual directors and screenwriters can only apply without the involvement of producers for anexperimental film or animation film if the production budget is under 25.000 euro and at the film consultant (intendant) in the first scenario development phase. Individuals can receive grants for training courses and organizations can receive grants for film festivals, coproduction markets, publications and workshops.
Assessment
The decision to support projects or persons is based on the quality of script and film plan, the talent of the professionals and the possibilities for national and international screening. These decisions are based on the advice of experts. The time needed to process a request for support varies from four to twelve weeks, depending on the type of request.
Supplementary Regulations subsidy
Each January, the Film Fund allocates a specific amount to grant to feature length films with significant commercial potential. For 2011 this amount is set at 11,75 million euro. As of January 2011, producers with 70% of their production financing in place can apply for the final part of their film's budget. At least 30% of total financing must be commercial money (sales deals, broadcasters, distributors etc). Support can be granted to producers at least three years in business in one of the countries of the European Union. Applying companies must have a supporting office in the Netherlands with at least one permanent employee. The Film Fund recommends that foreign producers apply to the supplementary rules subsidy with a Dutch co-producing partner who can fulfill the position of applicant to this regulation. The subsidy is granted on a first-come, first-served basis, until the €11,75 million is entirely assigned to projects.
International feature film co-production requests
For international coproduction requests the following rules apply:
• Europe-based producers can apply for co-production requests, though the fund strongly recommends foreign producers to team up with a film production company from the Netherlands. At the start of cash-flowing the grant, the foreign co-production company needs to have an established office in the Netherlands.
• Priority is given to co productions with European based production companies or co productions with countries that have a coproduction treaty with the Netherlands.
• Europe-based producers can apply for co-production requests, though the fund strongly recommends foreign producers to team up with a film production company from the Netherlands. At the start of cash-flowing the grant, the foreign co-production company needs to have an established office in the Netherlands.
• The co-producer in the Netherlands should have a track record of at least one produced full length feature film, which had its theatrical release in the Netherlands if the application concerns a feature film; one produced feature length documentary, which had its theatrical release in the Netherlands if the application concern a documentary film; one independent produced animation film if the application concern an animation.
• When a request to the Fund is made, the project needs to have substantial Financial support from the country of origin of the main producer of at least 50%.
• The requested subsidy amount is to be fully spent in the Netherlands.
• The maximum contribution for a feature film minority co-production is € 200,000. This is only for production purposes; The maximum contribution for a short animation or documentary minority co-production is € 50,000. This is only for production purposes.
• Subsidy will be granted if persons from the Netherlands fill significant crew or cast posts.
• The total Dutch share in the project needs to be at least 10% of the production costs of the film. This could also include the Dutch share coming from Eurimages.
• The chance of reciprocity makes projects more eligible for funding. The Dutch co-producer who is applying should have possible co-production projects in development. This local coproduction partner from the same country can be, but doesn’t have to be, the same coproducing partner as above. For features and feature length documentaries. A Dutch distributor needs to be committed to the project.
The Netherlands Film Fund is headed by Doreen Boonekamp, CEO.
For information on international co-productions please contact mr Ger Bouma, phone: +31205707673 or g.bouma@filmfonds.nl
For general information please contact mr Jonathan Mees, communication and press officer, + 31205707681 or j.mees@filmfonds.nl
A comprehensive overview in English is our annual publication Film facts and figures of the Netherlands. The printed version can be ordered at the below address. The latest electronic version is available here. Please also check out our new magazine SEE NL on Dutch film, published quarterly in conjunction with EYE Film Institute Netherlands.
Click here for our special section on coproducing.
International distribution and dubbing support
Foreign distributors and salesagents can apply for International distribution and dubbing support here (English section at the lower end of the page).
The Netherlands Film Fund
Jan Luykenstraat 2
1071 CM Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Phone +31(0)205707676
Fax +31 (0)205707689
E-mail info@filmfonds.nl